Chapter 17 In Order To Save The Team's Morale...

In order to save the team’s “dead” morale…

On the 17th, after the training session, “Zen Master” Phil Jackson had a private talk with O’Neal and Kobe, hoping that these two, as the leaders of the Lakers, could cheer up.

Of course, while telling O’Neal and Kobe, “We still have a chance,” Jackson knew better than anyone else that the Lakers couldn’t complete a comeback from a 0-3 deficit.

Not to mention that there was no precedent in the NBA for a comeback from 0-3 down, Jackson didn’t believe the Lakers could win four games in a row with the Raptors’ current strength.

So, “Zen Master” hoped that OK could cheer up, simply because he didn’t want to be swept.

Encouraged by Jackson, O’Neal, who had been in a state of self-isolation, immediately realized the seriousness of the situation.

As everyone knew, as Auerbach had said, the NBA was a long marathon.

When these contemporary superstars retired and were ranked in the future, people wouldn’t just look at their performance in a certain game or time period.

However, in this marathon, some classic moments would also affect their future ranking.

For example, the famous saying that if Paul could be ranked 58th in history after retirement, then Deron should be ranked 57th.

In short, if the Lakers were swept out of the Finals by the Raptors, then O’Neal’s historical status would undoubtedly be seriously affected.

Because, unlike Kobe, who was currently serving as his deputy…

O’Neal was the Lakers’ recognized leader.

In Su Feng’s original timeline, although O’Neal also received a broom from Duncan this season, he quickly returned it to Duncan in the 00/01 season.

However, because the Raptors and Lakers were in the Eastern and Western Conferences, it was hard to imagine how O’Neal would get his revenge on Su Feng in the future…

Plus, Su Feng had never lost to him in the NBA so far…

O’Neal could imagine with his toes that once the Raptors swept the Lakers, then from now on, as long as he couldn’t return the broom to Su Feng, Su Feng would always be on top of him.

In his previous life, because he had been swept by Olajuwon and Jordan in the Finals and Eastern Conference Finals respectively, even O’Neal himself had to respect them when mentioning "The Dream" and "Old Rogue."

In short, competitive sports ultimately depended on results.

For O’Neal, who was arrogant and ambitious, being suppressed by Jordan back then was one thing…

But how could he bear to be suppressed by Su Feng all the time in the future?

You know, O’Neal was the extraordinary man who had said that Jordan's successor was only fit to shine his shoes.

Plus, after the Raptors raised the banner of "legacy basketball" this season, people now regarded Su Feng as another banner of the NBA after Jordan.

Therefore, with Jackson’s reminder, O’Neal quickly cheered up again.

With Jordan about to step down, a new king of the league should be established.

In O’Neal’s view, in this time of turmoil and competition, how could he let that Su thief don the imperial robe and unify the world?

In the late 90s, many NBA players regarded honor and historical status as their greatest motivation for playing basketball besides money.

Therefore, Game 4 was not only a life-or-death battle for the Lakers, but also a personal redemption battle for him, O’Neal.

Unlike his painstaking efforts to inspire O’Neal with historical status, Jackson’s process of getting Kobe on board was very simple.

Because “Zen Master” found that as long as he mentioned Su Feng’s name in front of Kobe, Kobe would be as motivated as if he had been injected with chicken blood.

What a joke!

He, Su Feng, was taught to play basketball by him!

In the past two days, as long as he thought of the scene of Su Feng looking arrogant in front of him after the Lakers were swept out by the Raptors…

Kobe could say that he even had the heart to die.

Thus, the rift that had originally appeared in the friendship between OK was gradually healed because of someone’s name.

Moreover, because of someone, on the evening of the 17th, in order to encourage each other with Kobe, O’Neal specially treated Kobe to a good meal before the game.

As the saying goes, team fights can be lost, but the Su thief must die!

…

Just as O’Neal and Kobe were preparing to do their best, on the Raptors’ side, on the eve of Game 4, Jordan took the initiative to find Su Feng.

Because he was going to retire after this year’s Finals, Jordan hoped to put a perfect end to his career.

But for Jordan, who had experienced almost being overturned by the SuperSonics after leading 3-0 back then, he was very worried that his desire for this “perfect ending” would lead to an accident in this series.

Just imagine, if it was because he wanted this ending that the Raptors were overturned, Jordan could imagine his ending with his toes.

Therefore, in Jordan’s view, Su Feng, who always had many ideas, would definitely be able to help him.

What Jordan didn’t know was…

Even if he didn’t come to find Su Feng, Su Feng would have gone to find him.

Because Su Feng had already laid the groundwork at the end of Game 3.

You know, the reason why Su Feng said that he just wanted to go on vacation if he won, and wanted to accompany Jordan for a few more games if he lost, when he was interviewed at that time…

Was because Su Feng wanted to nip the only possible comeback by the Lakers in the bud.

On the surface, Su Feng’s remarks were complaining to the media, but in fact, Su Feng was saying those remarks to Jordan alone from beginning to end.

Because no one knew what kind of person Jordan was better than Su Feng.

Before winning the championship, maybe Jordan could willingly accept the setting of being a championship tool.

But at this critical moment when the cake was about to be divided, with his Jordan's personality, how could he accept only being given a small piece of cake?

Therefore, Su Feng’s second half of the sentence was putting pressure on Jordan through the interview.

And it was obvious that before returning his IQ and EQ to God, Jordan understood the signal that Su Feng had given him.

Therefore, Jordan took the initiative to find Su Feng before Game 4, hoping that Su Feng would help him make a decision.

And with Jordan being able to understand the big picture, Su Feng naturally wouldn’t be stingy with his “love” for the “Old Rogue”.

After all, as a fifty-year Jordan fan, Su Feng also hoped that Jordan could end his career with a perfect ending.

Although…

This ending might just be a comma.

“Michael, I have two suggestions.

My first suggestion is that in our Game 4 against the Lakers, you should just shoot as much as you want. If you can shoot fifty times, don’t just shoot forty times.” In the hotel, looking at Jordan, Su Feng said to him.

After hesitating for a while, Jordan shook his head decisively.

Jordan knew very well that with his current physical condition, it was simply unrealistic for him to shoot forty or fifty times in the Finals and still guarantee the team’s victory.

Therefore, almost without thinking, Jordan gave up this idea.

But…

Under Su Feng’s slightly exaggerated suggestion, Jordan himself probably didn’t notice that from the very beginning of this conversation, he had fallen into the trap that Su Feng had set for him.

Because in fact, before coming to find Su Feng, Jordan’s greatest wish was to play a hearty game in his retirement battle.

However, because of the foreshadowing that Su Feng had laid earlier, coupled with Su Feng’s exaggerated suggestion, Jordan quickly calmed down through his own mental rehearsal.

It had to be said that Jordan was indeed very different from Kobe in terms of personality.

Because compared to the simple-minded Kobe, the experienced Jordan was not only complex in personality, but also very unscrupulous in his behavior.

But this complex personality, as "Zen Master" wrote in his autobiography, meant that Jordan was much easier to fool than Kobe in a sense.

Just like when Jordan made his second comeback, he was willing to apologize to Kerr and fool Pippen into playing with him in order to win the championship. Before the cake of the championship was divided, even if Jordan wanted to, he would endure it first.

So, in the room, after sizing up Jordan for a while, Su Feng smiled and said, “My second suggestion for you is to find a way to do more on rebounds and assists, and strive to get a triple-double in the Finals.”

Hearing this, after carefully considering the feasibility, Jordan asked, “Do you think this will affect our performance in Game 4?”

“No, because isn’t that how we usually play?” Su Feng said with certainty.

Hearing Su Feng’s words, Jordan’s old face flushed red.

In the late 90s, NBA stars sometimes valued face more than life. Although Jordan was unscrupulous, he also didn’t want to be said to be padding his stats.

Even if…

He had already moved into the sewer.

…

Because he had to design how to help Jordan pad his stats in the Finals, Su Feng found Davis as soon as he gave Jordan his suggestions.

And when he heard that Su Feng had actually “selflessly” proposed to help Jordan play a perfect game…

Davis was completely conquered by Su Feng’s personal charm.

As Su Feng’s mentor, how could Davis not have any selfish motives?

So far this season, in Davis’s view, Su Feng was undoubtedly the most qualified player in the Raptors to become an fMVP.

Therefore, as long as he could satisfy the bookmakers, Su Feng’s bet had a more than 99% chance of having the last laugh.

And who said that he, Su Feng, only helped Jordan pad his stats?

With the Raptors using Jordan as their tactical core, and with McGrady continuing to volunteer to shoulder the responsibility of defending Kobe, how could his, Su Feng’s, living space in Game 4 against the Lakers be described with just one word?

What is "EQ?" (emotional quotient)

This is "EQ".

…

On the evening of the 18th, at the Great Western Forum, Game 4 of the Lakers-Raptors Finals continued here.

Before the game, because the Raptors had reached match point, the O’Brien Trophy had been sent to Los Angeles, and Stern was also present to supervise the battle tonight.

Compared to Game 3, although the Lakers’ home court was still lively tonight, when many Lakers fans were cheering for the team, you could clearly feel that the atmosphere of this arena was obviously lower than before.

After all, no fans like to see the visiting team lift the championship trophy in their home arena.

Except for Knicks fans.

Although in the future, they were also unlikely to be able to see the visiting team lift the trophy at Madison Square Garden.

On the court, after the jump ball started the game, in order not to be suppressed by Su Feng, O’Neal went all out to attack the basket from the start.

As a result, this amazing fat man once again showed his unparalleled dominance.

Even "professional Shaq-hacker" Williams, because he fouled too much, was beaten by O’Neal with both the ball and the man into a "two-plus-one."

Plus O’Neal’s 4-for-6 free throw percentage, which made the Raptors not dare to foul him unscrupulously, the Lakers quickly took the initiative in the game in the first quarter.

At the critical moment, Jordan showed his calm and composed side on the court.

He first scored 6 consecutive points through single plays, and then assisted Su Feng three times in a row, stabilizing the situation for the Raptors.

Although his condition was not as good as before and his physical fitness had declined a lot, Jordan’s one-on-one was still difficult to defend when he was feeling good.

Plus, he had been given a clear path by Su Feng tonight, so the team-oriented Jordan proved the power of sewer tactics with his strength.

At the end of the first quarter, during a fast break, Jordan, noticing that Su Feng and Carter were both cutting fast, found Su Feng with a strange elbow pass.

The latter, after receiving the ball, directly split open Hollywood with one arm, stunning the Lakers fans at the scene.

TNT TV, Smith said with emotion: "Although Michael’s dominance is not as good as before this season, he is more like the spiritual pillar of the Raptors in the game.

If he were a few years younger, I really can’t imagine how many championships he and Su could win together.”

Derek also commented: "This is definitely a memorable goal. It’s as if Michael personally handed his torch to Su."

In front of the TV, I don’t know if Drexler, who was watching the game, had the urge to run to Los Angeles and chop Jordan to death.

Because the Glide was not able to imagine that being suppressed by Jordan on the court was one thing, but in the end, his precious successor was also snatched away by Jordan.

In the stands, if Stern was most troubled by anything at this moment, it would probably be that this series was ending too quickly.

However, when he noticed that Jordan was playing like a true senior tonight, Stern suddenly hoped that the Raptors could end this series tonight.

In the second quarter, Jordan didn’t rest, and neither did Su Feng.

Jordan, who regarded this game as his farewell battle, played very hard tonight.

On the Lakers’ side, after thinking for a while, Kobe also exchanged his main defensive target with his teammates in the second quarter.

Because in Kobe’s view, he would have many opportunities to face Su Feng in the future, but facing Jordan could be said to be one less opportunity.

On the court, when he noticed Kobe rushing towards him again and again, Jordan had never felt as happy as he did tonight.

In order to compete with Kobe to his heart’s content, Jordan even took the initiative to stand in front of Kobe when defending.

In his previous life, in dealing with the issue of his successor, Jordan’s love for Kobe was obviously greater than for Hill and Hardaway.

Because unlike “fake Jordan fans” like Su Feng, in this life, even though Kobe was called “Little Magic” by the Los Angeles media, he was still closer to Jordan in many technical movements.

From Kobe’s dribbling to his shooting, Jordan could see the shadow of his youth.

Great Western Forum, in the second quarter, when the fans saw Jordan and Kobe exchanging Answer.Balls back and forth, the fans at the scene felt like they were watching a mirror match.

In front of the TV, countless Jordan fans shed tears at this moment.

Because in their opinion, Jordan seemed to be making his final handover on this night.

Whether it was Su Feng or Kobe.

The new era was coming, but the big ship to the new era would no longer have Jordan’s figure.

On the court, before Jordan was about to retire, Kobe also gave Jordan a memorable shot.

In the middle of the second quarter, just as Jordan was dribbling towards the Lakers’ half as usual, a small hand suddenly pressed down on the basketball in his hand.

Once upon a time, this kind of chase-down block was Jordan’s specialty.

But now, 36-year-old Jordan, even though his skills had reached perfection, his body…

Stopped him at this moment.

Those legs that had taken him to look down on heroes from all directions countless times could no longer jump as freely as before.

And the Philadelphia boy with the fluffy afro, seemed to have endless strength, and could always catch up with him in a fraction of a second after he had faked him out…

Jordan knew very well that it wasn’t that his feints weren’t realistic enough, it was just that his movements couldn’t keep up with his consciousness.

And if Kobe’s block on Jordan made the Los Angeles fans see the rising dawn of Los Angeles on this desperate night, as Jerry West had said…

Then next, across the ocean on that other shore, witnessed the enthronement of the new god amidst a burst of joy.

Great Western Forum, the Raptors quickly inbounded the ball from the baseline. In the Lakers’ interior, which was full of strong men, Horry was the first to see that soaring figure.

As swift as the wind, as powerful as thunder.

When the meteor streaked across and the basketball fell into the net, the whole stadium was silent at that moment…

Listen to the dragon’s roar.

Pounding his chest three times was not to prove that his chest muscles were large, but to express his enthusiasm for the game and his love for basketball.

Roaring to the sky was not to tell people that he was brutal, but to vent the pleasure after a dunk.

Even if Jordan’s last afterglow was enough to cover everyone’s light tonight, he couldn’t stop this rising sun.

The Raptors’ number 23.

From Su Feng’s signature “Meteor Dunk”!

…